Cement Board Siding

Reasons Why You Might Want To Install Cement Board Siding

Choosing the type of siding that you install on your home can be a big deal to many people. Not only is it a relatively costly home improvement, it will also determine the amount of time and money you will have to spend on upkeep in the coming years. You need to decide whether you want a natural look such as you get with exterior wood or cedar shake siding, or whether you would prefer to go with something that looks similar, but requires less involved maintenance, such as vinyl log siding or Hardie cement board siding.

Cement board siding such as that sold by Hardie is one option that not everyone thinks of, although it has been around for a long time. This type of siding can be made to look like a number of different woods, and you can purchase it in various different colors, or paint it yourself if the color that you want is not among those offered by suppliers. It is also offered in a number of different styles, such as shingle, panel, or lap siding. You are sure to find a color and style that will work for you.

Among the advantages of cement board siding are the fact that it lasts for much longer than most other options (many companies offer up to a 50 year warranty) and that it is fire, insect, and water resistant. Although it does need to be painted, the maintenance isn't that intensive. The paint that is applied at the factory can last for up to 25 years, so it doesn't require painting as often as wood siding.  It is also less expensive than some of the other durable siding options, ranging from around $200 to $600 for a square foot.

One thing that you will need to take into account before deciding on this type of siding is the fact that it does require special care when being installed in order to minimize the dangerous dust that can occur when cutting it down to size. You can hire someone to do this for you or follow the instructions on the manufacturer's website.